Job Description
Development Technologist
Fife, Scotland (On-site)
Salary: £Competitive & benefits
Vickerstock are working in partnership with a global seafood business to recruit a Development Technologist for their site in Fife.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading fish and seafood manufacturer, supporting the successful launch of fresh, smoked and added-value products across retail customers. You will play a key role in taking products from concept handover through to full-scale factory launch within a fast-paced, commercially focused environment.
Your new role:
Reporting to the Process Development Manager, you will support the planning and execution of product launches, ensuring that processes are robust, repeatable and fully compliant with food safety and regulatory standards.
You will work closely with Technical, Production, Engineering, Finance and Commercial teams to ensure successful, on-time launches that meet both customer and business requirements.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Supporting the coordination and execution of new and modified product launches.
* Planning and arranging factory trials, ensuring processes are scalable, consistent and safe.
* Coordinating trial follow-up, product sampling and capturing lessons learned.
* Gathering accurate data from trials to support product costings and profitability analysis.
* Working cross-functionally to develop product specifications and ensure accurate ERP system setup.
* Supporting production teams with process improvements and issue resolution.
* Collaborating with ingredient and packaging suppliers to support new and existing product development.
* Managing artwork approvals and certification requirements for on-pack claims.
* Supporting retailer gate approval processes.
* Conducting occasional store visits and product evaluations.
* Occasional travel to customers or suppliers as required.
The role is primarily office hours; however, flexibility is required to support evening or weekend trials when necessary.
What you’ll need to succeed:
* Degree or diploma in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology or related discipline.
* Proven experience in a similar role within food manufacturing (seafood or protein experience advantageous).
* Strong understanding of food processing, food safety and regulatory requirements.
* Experience coordinating production trials and product launches.
* Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Full UK driving licence and own transport.
Desirable:
* Experience working with major UK retailers.
* Food Safety qualification (REHIS or equivalent).
* Experience working within ERP or NPD systems.
What you’ll receive:
* Competitive salary.
* Benefits package.
* Opportunity to work within a global seafood business with strong retail partnerships.
* Exposure across cross-functional teams and end-to-end product launch activity.
* Genuine opportunity for development within a growing business.
To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Maria Murphy, Principal Recruitment Consultant at Vickerstock on 0161 5075 448.